Many people treat gout by taking medication and avoiding certain foods, but gout symptoms can also be actively prevented and treated with diet. A range of fruits, vegetables, spices and more can fight gout with their action against pain and uric acid. Below are 12 dietary items that gout sufferers should include in their daily diet for significant relief.
Cherries, especially of the tart variety, contain some of the highest concentration of antioxidants found in any fruit, and they also help the body eliminate uric acid, whose buildup causes gout in many people. Fresh and canned cherries work equally well, but many people drink cherry juice for its convenience and portability. Cherries work best for gout when they’re eaten several times per day.
Researchers have found that vitamin C levels can help predict a person’s risk of developing gout, and lemons contain some of the highest natural levels of this powerful antioxidant. Because of their citric acid content, lemons also cause the body to alkalize itself, which increases uric acid elimination. The citric acid also directly attacks uric acid crystals, helping to dissolve them so they can pass through the kidneys.
This yellow spice is one of the most powerful natural anti-inflammatories known, and the curcumin contained by turmeric has been shown to reduce the body’s production of uric acid. Turmeric is a tasty addition to savory dishes and is present in many curry seasoning mixes, making for easy usage in daily cooking for gout control.
Veggies and Fruits
Vegetables and fruits are essential for any healthy diet, but they’re especially valuable for people who suffer from gout. The high potassium levels in many plant foods helps lower uric acid levels. Thanks to the mineral content of many fruits and veggies, the body becomes more alkaline and less hospitable to the development of uric acid crystals and gout.
Although alcoholic drinks and soft drinks increase the risk of gout, many other beverages reduce severity of the condition. Watered-down fruit juice provides alkalizing minerals and helps hydrate the body so that uric acid is flushed out before it causes problems. Coffee lowers uric acid directly, but more water must be consumed when drinking coffee in order to counter its diuretic effect. Many people have seen huge improvements in their condition by staying hydrated constantly.
In its natural, raw form, honey possesses strong anti-inflammatory effects that help fight the pain of gout. Many people swear by the combination of honey, apple cider vinegar and warm water for reduction of symptoms. Unpasteurized honey and apple cider vinegar will work best by providing valuable enzymes and beneficial bacteria.
Black Bean Broth
Boiling black beans and drinking the broth is a popular gout treatment. Canned beans work well, making these a convenient option for control of symptoms. Best results can be had by boiling black beans for at least an hour and a half and consuming the broth at least twice a day during a flare-up.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most common natural gout remedies. Its alkalizing properties help the body keep uric acid in liquid form for easier elimination. Especially effective in its raw form, apple cider vinegar can be enjoyed with water and honey or used as a salad dressing.
Ginger is full of gout-fighting substances, including 6-shogaol, which reduces inflammation associated with uric acid crystals. Both raw and powdered ginger are beneficial, but raw ginger is likely to work best thanks to its high enzyme content. Although ginger can be eaten on food, many people find it more convenient to boil chunks of ginger to make a tea.
Pineapple is the source of bromelain, an enzyme that fights pain associated with many conditions, including gout. Patients can take bromelain capsules or simply enjoy fresh pineapple. Unfortunately, canned pineapple is ineffective because it has undergone pasteurization, which destroys the bromelain.
Patients can often drastically reduce their gout symptoms consuming the items listed above and avoiding the foods that worsen gout, such as organ meats, seafood and legumes. In some cases, patients have found so much success with dietary changes that medication becomes unnecessary. Some of the items above will produce results right away, but many take awhile to work, and all of them are most effective after consistent use for days or weeks.